Ex-NFL Executive Says Signing Colin Kaepernick Was ‘Bad for Business’
Many believed that former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was not being signed to an NFL team due to his vocal stance on racial inequality and police brutality. This theory has been verified by a former NFL executive in an Op-Ed published by CNN.
Joe Lockhart, currently a political analyst for CNN, was the former executive vice president in charge of communications and government affairs for the NFL. He admitted that Kaepernick‘s activism showcased through his kneeling on the football field before the games became a distraction that the NFL didn’t want.
Lockhart wrote:
“When I was an executive in the National Football League a few years ago, our organization was consumed by the case of Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback whose silent kneeling protest against police brutality arguably led him to lose his NFL career and not be re-signed by any club. No teams wanted to sign a player — even one as talented as Kaepernick — whom they saw as controversial, and, therefore, bad for business.
“The NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, and other league executives tried to persuade the teams to change their minds. The league sent owners and players around the country to try to lead a dialogue on race relations and to move, as the sociologist and human rights activist Harry Edwards said, “from protest to progress.” Though Kaepernick didn’t get his job back, I thought we had all done a righteous job, considering.
“I was wrong. I think the teams were wrong for not signing him. Watching what’s going on in Minnesota, I understand how badly wrong we were.”
Kaepernick hasn’t commented on the revelation as of yet.
But, in an ironic twist, the NFL has released a statement related to the protests that are currently taking place across the country.
“The NFL family is greatly saddened by the tragic events across our country. The protesters’ reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger, and frustration that so many of us feel.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. George Floyd and to those who have lost loved ones, including the families of Ms. Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, the cousin of Tracy Walker of the Detroit Lions.
“As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league. These tragedies inform the NFL’s commitment and our ongoing efforts. There remains an urgent need for action. We recognize the power of our platform in communities and as part of the fabric of American society. We embrace that responsibility and are committed to continuing the important work to address these systemic issues together with our players, clubs, and partners.”
Bank of America Makes $1 Billion Commitment to Address Racial Inequality
Bank of America has announced that it is introducing a $1 billion four-year commitment of additional support to help local communities address economic and racial inequality that has been caused by the coronavirus global pandemic. The programs will be focused on assisting people and communities of color that have been gravely affected by the health crisis.
Today we are announcing a $1 billion / 4-year commitment to support economic opportunity initiatives to combat racial inequality accelerated by the global pandemic. Read more: https://t.co/Xrl4W8KRsMpic.twitter.com/N33u01fnNk
“Underlying economic and social disparities that exist have accelerated and intensified during the global pandemic,” said CEO Brian Moynihan said in a written statement. “The events of the past week have created a sense of true urgency that has arisen across our nation, particularly in view of the racial injustices we have seen in the communities where we work and live. We all need to do more.”
According to the press release, the areas of focus will be health, jobs and training, support to small businesses, and housing.
“The programs will be executed through the company’s 90 local U.S. market presidents and non-U.S. country executives to help develop the opportunities to execute on these commitments in areas that include:
Virus testing, telemedicine, flu vaccination clinics, and other health services, with a special focus on communities of color.
Partnerships with historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions in the United States for hiring, research programs, and other areas of mutual opportunity.
Support to minority-owned small businesses, including clients and vendors.
Career reskilling/upskilling through partnerships with high schools and community colleges.
Operating support and investment for affordable housing/neighborhood revitalization, leveraging our nearly $5 billion in Community Development Banking.
Further recruitment and retention of teammates in low-to-moderate-income and disadvantaged communities to build on work the company has already done to serve clients locally.”
The work from Bank of America builds on steps the company has already taken, which includes an additional $100 million to support its nonprofit partners across its communities. Reports state that $250 million will assist with lending to the small and minority-owned businesses through its support of community development financial and minority depository institutions.
Bernice King Says Her Father, Martin Luther King, Would Be Proud of The Protesters Rallying Against Police Brutality
Since the viral video of a police officer suffocating an unarmed black man named George Floyd by placing his knee into his neck has made rounds on social media, thousands have walked out into the streets in various cities around the country and the world. There are also incidents of looters disguised as protesters. Now the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Bernice King, is stepping forward to comment on the recent string of events and protests.
Dr. Bernice King is a civil rights activist who recently commented on the death of George Floyd and others by police officers in the last few weeks. According to ABC News, King appeared live on Good Morning America Tuesday to discuss how young people are using their voices to stand up against injustice and police brutality.
“I am so proud of them first of all for the tenacity, the resilience and the vigilance that they are exercising and the determination to keep the issue of Black Lives Matter before this nation which has called so many people to lean in, in ways that I’ve never seen before in generations past,” King told Robin Roberts according to ABC News. She went on to say that her father would be proud to see so many stand up to fight against the systematic racism within our society.
“I just think my father and my mother would be extremely proud,” King added. “My mother said something so essential. She said, ‘Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won.’ We earn it and win it in every generation and these diverse group of young people are earning and winning this freedom. We may not see the total manifestation yet, but it is on its way because of their determination and vigilance.”
According to ET Online, at a recent event in Atlanta, the activist urged protesters to continue peaceful demonstrations when she addressed the death of George Floyd.
“I’ve obviously been in the place of the daughter of George, a 6-year-old left without her daddy who was killed senselessly as my father was assassinated senselessly,” King said according to ET Online. “It sent me on a journey of anger, and I fought that demon a long time.”
King went on to say she would continue to advocate in non-violent protests in the spirit of her father’s legacy urging protesters out in the streets to do the same.
“This is a moment where people are feeling a lot of stuff right now and are fed up. And as I stand in this moment and I look at my journey, I have to make an appeal to my brothers and sisters. Because I realize that the only way to get constructive change is through non-violent means,” she continued.
Former Miss Universe Malaysia Apologizes for Saying Black Americans ‘Chose to be Born as a ‘Coloured’ Person’
The former Miss Universe Malaysia has angered many people by claiming that black people in America “chose to be born as a ‘coloured’ person,” according to The Independent.
Below are statements from former Miss Universe Malaysia Samantha Katie James that she posted in a now-deleted series of Instagram postings:
“I don’t live in America and it has nothing to do with me, but to me, it seems like the ‘whites’ won,” she wrote.
“If you’re angry, you response in rage and anguish and that means it has power over you. They have power over you.”
“To the black people: Relax, take it as a challenge, makes you stronger.
“You chose to be born as a ‘coloured’ person in America for a reason. To learn a certain lesson.
“Accept it as it is, till now hunger and poverty still exists. It is what it is. It’s inevitable. Best you can do is remain calm, protect heart, don’t allow it to crumble.
“That’s your responsibility,” she said.
When James was questioned by a follower who asked what she meant by “chose to be born ‘coloured’” she stated: “Like our souls. Chose this life, this country, this race, this human form, specifically… I always wonder why I’m born in Malaysia, as a white girl, with Chinese mom and Indian grandparents and Brazilian dad.
“But I chose this all for a reason, as a soul.”
The 25-year-old James, after receiving backlash from her followers, then issued an apology.
“I do hear you, I’m sorry. I know you’re hurting. I know it’s unfair. I’m not in your shoes to understand this fully.”
The Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation also released a statement: “Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (MUMO) notes with dismay the recent social media posts made by Samantha Katie James, a past winner of Miss Universe Malaysia. We also note that these posts are inappropriate, offensive, unacceptable and hurtful.
“The views expressed on Samantha’s personal Instagram account are her own personal views and are neither the view nor position of MUMO. Samantha Katie James is not contracted to MUMO and has not represented the organisation since June 2018.
“MUMO stands for a non-racial society and strongly condemns all acts of racism and prejudice anywhere in the world.”
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced criminal charges against the officers who were shown pulling two young black people from a car and then shooting them with their stun guns. The driver and passenger were stuck in traffic as they were leaving protests over George Floyd’s death.
“I feel a little safer now that these monsters are off of the street and no longer able to terrorize anyone else,” said 22-year-old Messiah Young, who was tasered and dragged from the car along with his girlfriend, 20-year-old Taniyah Pilgrim.
“I’m so happy that they’re being held accountable for their actions,” Pilgrim said at the news conference.
The assault on the Morehouse and Spelman college students was shown on CBS 46 News, which was reporting live.
The couple was leaving the protest at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park as the video shows police officers smashing the driver’s side window, forcibly opening the passenger side door, and using stun guns on the passengers before forcing them out of the vehicle.
“Unfortunately, we have been here many, many times before, where officers are arrested,” Young’s attorney, Mawuli Davis, told CBS News. “And so we are prayerful, hopeful that this will go to its full conclusion. And these officers will not only be arrested, indicted, and convicted. Because what they did to our children, and these are our community children, they have to be held accountable for.”
Based on arrest warrants for the officers:
Ivory Streeter is charged with aggravated assault for using a Taser against Young and is also charged with pointing a gun at him.
Mark Gardner is charged with aggravated assault for using a Taser against Pilgrim.
Lonnie Hood is charged with aggravated assault against both Young and Pilgrim for using a Taser against both of them. He is also charged with simple battery for violently pulling Pilgrim from the car and throwing her down on to the street.
Willie Sauls is charged with aggravated assault for pointing a Taser at Pilgrim. He’s also charged with criminal damage for repeatedly hitting and damaging the driver’s side window of the car,.
Armon Jones is charged with aggravated battery for hurting Young’s left arm when he dragged him from the car and slammed him onto the street. He’s also charged with pointing a gun at Young.
Roland Claud is charged with criminal damage for breaking the car’s windows.
All of the charged officers are black except for Claud, who’s white. Atlanta Police Department sworn personnel is about 61% black, according to 2019 numbers provided by the department.
Father-Daughter Property Management Franchise Team Knows How to Keep Owners and Tenants Happy
In 2012, Billy Duncan retired from Dow Chemicals after a decades-long career. Going from his corporate career to retirement felt like going from 75 mph to 0 mph—and he hated it.
After six months, he knew it was time to embark on something new for his own well-being, but part of his motivation was to create generational wealth for his three adult daughters; all of whom were working in their chosen professions.
BLACK ENTERPRISE sat down with Duncan and his youngest daughter, Tayla, to learn more about their Real Property Management franchise in Zachary, Louisiana, how they’ve become so successful in six years, and why working with family makes their bond stronger.
Black Enterprise:How did you decide that property management was the right business to go with?
Billy Duncan: When I first started exploring options, I was pretty open to a number of sectors. I knew I wanted to go with a franchise because the thought of starting from scratch with no existing systems in place was too overwhelming. So, I worked with a Franchise Consultant and we looked at ten to fifteen franchises. When Real Property Management, a Neighborly company, was presented and I learned that the rental market was expected to grow steadily for the next 30 years, it rose to the top. It also didn’t require a major investment, which enabled me to leverage my 401(k) to purchase the business and not have to take out a loan. Lastly, we already had a real estate investment company and it fit perfectly.
BE: How did Tayla come aboard?
Billy Duncan: After starting the business, I shared the opportunity with my daughters. One was happy with her career, but I was thrilled when Tayla said she wanted to join me it was the cherry on top!
Tayla Duncan: I had recently graduated from Baylor University and started working at Dow Chemicals. When my father presented the idea, I was really happy to hear it. I enjoyed Dow, but I was excited to create a legacy.
Getting Started
Billy and Tayla Duncan
Black Enterprise: How did you acquire your first property?
Billy: The first couple of properties were our own. But once we started utilizing Real Property Management’s marketing and advertising platform and tools, things took off. We began getting contracts with people that owned property here but were living overseas. Some of them had property managers they were unhappy with; others were relocating out of the country and needed a property management company. And with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and 4.5/5.0 on Google, clients could see how reputable we were. Our role is to help property owners achieve their goals and ensure their tenants get a good experience.
What does a day in the life of a property management franchisee look like?
Billy: I concentrate on business development, focusing on growth and acquisition of new owners and new properties. The average tenancy is approximately 18 months, so in order to stay ahead of the churn, you have to maintain the relationships you have and build new ones. It’s not just about finding new clients, but also finding the right clients with the types of properties we want to manage. For us, it’s important that we feel good about the clients we bring on and that their properties meet our standards. But frankly, Tayla has the most challenging part of the businesses—the day-to-day operations.
Tayla: Yes. I handle all of the behind the scenes work for the business, which includes managing all phases of the property management life cycle. Including leasing, rent collection, bookkeeping, inspection, and maintenance. While it seems straightforward, there are a lot of moving parts to manage, which makes it challenging.
Is your business where you expected it to be with six years under your belt, in terms of revenue and growth?
Billy: It is! Currently, we manage over 200 residential properties. In addition to myself and Tayla, we have an office manager, property manager, leasing agent, handyman, accounting manager (my stepdaughter Veronica), and my wife Bessie is our finance manager. Once we reached 50 properties, we moved into a 1,700 sq ft suite and brought on the Office Manager. At 75 properties is when Tayla joined and we on-boarded the other resources as we continued to grow. As we continue to hit certain revenue thresholds, we will add on to the staff but keep the same property management structure. Meaning, hiring additional property managers, leasing agents, and handymen. Our goal is to capture 1% of our market—which is very achievable.
In terms of growth, I’m very happy with where we are, but it’s important to understand what your goals are. When we started, I made a conscious decision about our model and structure. You can choose to reach profitability quicker with an owner-operated model because your overhead cost of salaries is lower. I wanted to run it more as an executive model so that I could be more strategic, which will naturally take longer to reach profitability because you’re managing a team. Reaching profitability quickly wasn’t as important to me as building a strong, sustainable business long term. As a result of that strategy, we’ve grown the business to the point now where we have been able to purchase land to build a new 4,400 sq ft office building, where we will occupy 3,000 sq ft, and lease out the remaining 1,400 sq ft.
Legacy
When you were profiled on Entreprenuer.com you talked about the importance of working with family and leaving a legacy. How has it been running a family business?
Billy: I’ve really enjoyed it. Like with all businesses, you have to be willing and ready to work hard. But with family businesses you also have to be able to separate business and family life. I love Tayla, but when we enter the ring, she gets no passes. My expectation is no different than if I had hired a stranger. If my mother worked for me but couldn’t do the job—she would get fired (laughing). You can’t let family slide because we’re competing with all other property management businesses. I’m probably a little harder on Tayla because I know her potential and we’re grooming her to be the leader of the business. In 3-5 years, I expect her to be in that corner, Executive office we’re building.
Tayla: I work really hard and am willing to put in the work. I’m able to separate business and family. I don’t take business personally and allow that to interfere with the business. I don’t expect any special treatment or favors. I want to be treated just like the rest of the team. Although my dad says he may be harder on me, I don’t feel that pressure. I think that speaks to his great management style.
What final piece of advice do you have for readers considering starting a franchise?
Billy: Know your market, make sure you have a great product and enough capital to grow and sustain the business.
Black-owned Marijuana Store Robbed During Protests in What Owners Call a “Targeted Attack”
Pure Oasis, the first black-owned marijuana store to open in Massachusetts, was looted early Monday morning in what its owners are calling a “targeted attack.”
Co-owner Kobie Evans told theBoston Globe at least a dozen people entered Pure Oasis after someone broke through the window and opened the front door from the inside around 1:43 a.m.
Evans added that after reviewing security camera footage, they determined the looters ran off with about 2,000 pre-rolled joints and 2,000 pre-packaged containers of marijuana flower worth well over $100,000 at retail prices.
“They were deliberate. They purposefully came just to our shop,” Evans told the Globe. “They were able to get into a secure back room. They knew exactly where they were going.”
The incident did not faze the owners as they reopened Tuesday, although the store did have a boarded-up window. The owners appreciated the support of the local community as it continued to sell marijuana.
“We had a big outpouring of support from the community this morning,” Evans said. “They believe in us and want us around. We all know this wasn’t coming from the community. This was people going through the city and taking advantage of the situation.”
Evans added the irony of being a black owner of a marijuana store that employs people with prior drug convictions, and whose licensure was intended to help address the over-policing of African Americans and Latinos is not lost on him. Yet, the store was targeted amid protests against over-policing.
“Kevin [Hart] and I stand in solidarity with all the people protesting the injustice in Minneapolis and elsewhere,” Evans said. “In no way do we draw any connection between what happened to us and people protesting for a good cause. This is a somewhat isolated incident where a few people exploited the situation for personal gain because someone wanted a free pair of Jordans and some weed to go with it.”
Pure Oasis opened its doors for the first time in March. The store, based in Dorchester, has about 30 employees. Many media outlets have reported that right-wing organizations have been creating chaos and using the protests to loot and attack police to create a race war. In response to the civil unrest around the nation, President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act.
New Report Shows Over 21,000 New COVID-19 Cases Recorded Amid Mass Protests
COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, pandemic, has now killed over 100,000 Americans since the start of the spread with many cities around the country becoming overwhelmed by the growing number of patients with the virus. Despite the growing number of cases and the high risk of infection, many state governments were beginning to open back up to resume the economy. Recently, thousands took to the streets in protest over the recent viral video of a police officer suffocating an unarmed black man named George Floyd in Minneapolis. Now a new report is showing that the protests may be the cause of a second wave of the viral outbreak.
According to data collected by John Hopkins University, the U.S. has now accumulated more than 21,000 new COVID-19 cases as of Monday. While the number is slightly lower than the national average, experts are still concerned by the number of protesters out in the streets, many of them not wearing any face masks for protection.
Now many mayors and local politicians have been urging protesters to get COVID-19 testing in their neighborhoods to protect themselves and their loved ones. Some health experts say being outdoors shouldn’t accelerate the spread.
“The outdoor air dilutes the virus and reduces the infectious dose that might be out there, and if there are breezes blowing, that further dilutes the virus in the air,” Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University told TheNew York Times. “There was literally a lot of running around, which means they’re exhaling more profoundly, but also passing each other very quickly.”
Others are worried about how marches attract so many people and the virus is still very contagious from person-to-person contact.
“Yes, the protests are outside, but they are all really close to each other, and in those cases, being outside doesn’t protect you nearly as much,” Dr. Markel said to The New York Times. “Public gatherings are public gatherings—it doesn’t matter what you’re protesting or cheering. That’s one reason we’re not having large baseball games and may not have college football this fall.”
Anderson has been working at the sports network for 9 years. She was named ESPN’s first female NFL insider in 2015. Anderson became engulfed in controversy back in November for her report on the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph incident.
Marchand states, “She ran into trouble at times with ESPN executives. After the Myles Garrett incident in which the Browns defensive lineman hit Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with Rudolph’s helmet, Anderson tweeted, “I would bet Myles Garrett will say he heard Mason Rudolph call him something egregious. Never seen Garrett act like that, ever.”
“She also tweeted out an image in which she said Rudolph grabbed Garrett in a private area. She later apologized for it and said other angles proved her original tweet was incorrect.”
Mistakes need to be owned, and I will own mine here. With the benefit of additional angles, it’s clear my tweet misinterpreted one of the photos taken during the brawl. That’s my fault, I apologize. My goal is to always be completely accurate and fair.
According to Marchand, ESPN veterans Field Yates, Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, and Dianna Russini will help fill the void left by Anderson and the network’s newest reporter, Kimberley Martin, who just joined ESPN in March, coming from Yahoo Sports.
Anderson had made regular appearances on Sunday NFL Countdown, NFL Live, and SportsCenter. Before gaining employment at ESPN, she was a reporter for 6 years with Fox 31 in Denver. She also ran track as a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina.
The House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act by 417-1 to ease restrictions on small businesses as they seek loan forgiveness under PPP.
According to Forbes, the House bill, passed May 27, comes days after the Treasury Department’s “Interim Final Rules” on PPP loans issued late on May 22. The regulations include more complicated and harsher requirements for small business owners to apply for and receive PPP loan forgiveness.
The House bill reduces the amount businesses are required to spend on payroll form 75% to 60%. Thus increasing the amount of PPP funds available for other expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and interest on loans.
While this is being viewed as a good thing, the change was less than the 50-50 split in PPP funds small business advocates were asking for.
The bill would also extend the window businesses have to use the funds from 8 weeks to 24 weeks; pushes back the June 30 deadline to rehire workers to Dec. 31, 2020, and extends the time recipients have to repay the loan. The bill also lets companies that get loan forgiveness, defer payroll taxes.
While many are optimistic the bill will land on President Trump’s desk for him to sign, there is no guarantee that will happen. Until it does, the Treasury Department’s new regulations will stand.
The department’s regulations make it nearly impossible for business owners to figure out how to calculate the forgivable portion of the loan. Forbes added the new rules will leave many business owners in debt and banks holding short term 1% interest loans—something that neither wants.
Also, the Small Business Administration can review a loan at any time, the loan process could take up to five months and the borrower of the loan is responsible for the forgiveness calculation.
The PPP was signed into law as part of the CARES Act which was intended to provide assistance to Americans during the coronavirus pandemic which began in late February.
